Get Spot-Checked for Skin Cancer

Every summer you show your skin to the world—strangers included. But we know who probably didn’t eyeball your epidermis: you and your dermatologist.

We call that a dangerous blind spot.

So let’s make fall the new season for skin screening. If you’ve never had your skin checked, now’s the time: One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime, and the Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that by the end of 2015, 42,670 new cases of invasive melanoma—the deadliest form of the disease—will have been diagnosed in men.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

First, check every inch of your body for odd-looking spots using what dermatologists call the “ABCDE” rule: Make note of moles that: • are Asymmetrical; • have irregular Borders; • contain more than one Color; • have a Diameter greater than the size of a pencil eraser; • or Evolve and change over time.

Regardless if you find anything suspicious, head to a skin doctor for a pro’s take. It’ll be the best meeting you schedule all year.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Men's Health participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.